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After the big defeat by 280 runs in the first Test against India in Chennai, the Bangladesh cricket team was dealt with a new blow as their talisman Shakib Al Hasan’s availability for the second Test in Kanpur is uncertain. The officials of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will take a call on Shakib Al Hasan’s availability for the Kanpur Test after he undergoes a medical assessment on his finger, which was injured while batting during the Chennai Test last week.
Notably, it was Jasprit Bumrah’s delivery, which struck Shakib Al Hasan’s finger before he needed some treatment for it on the field at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. During the first Test, Shakib Al Hasan got a couple of starts with the bat, top scoring in the first innings with 32 before a 25 in the second innings, but in the bowling side of things, he delivered only 23 overs across two innings, going for 129 runs without picking up an Indian wicket.
We don't want to make a decision yet: Hannan Sarkar on Shakib Al Hasan's availability in Kanpur Test
Hannan Sarkar, the selection panel member of the BCB, spoke to the media on Monday, September 23, about the fitness of Shakib Al Hasan ahead of the second Test match in Kanpur. He was quoted as saying, as per Cricbuzz, “We are heading to Kanpur tomorrow (Tuesday) and today is a day off. We will have two sessions afterwards and we will judge after that (regarding Shakib's availability in the second Test) and we don't want to make a decision yet.”
The BCB selection committee member also revealed that they will get a physio’s feedback on Shakib Al Hasan’s condition before deciding if he could play for Bangladesh in the Kanpur Test. He added, “These two days, the physio has kept him under observation. When we get back to the ground, we will get the physio's feedback. We have to think before picking Shakib for the next match and there is time before the next match. We will see what condition he is in.”
Moreover, it will be critical for Bangladesh to have the presence of Shakib Al Hasan in their playing XI in the second Test since he is known to be a difference maker in some of the biggest wins for the national team in all formats of the game.
